Woman's campaign to recognise tragedy

BUOYED by public support, a Burnie woman says she will continue her campaign to have a memorial placed at Cooee beach to commemorate an Aboriginal woman's murder.

BUOYED by public support, a Burnie woman says she will continue her campaign to have a memorial placed at Cooee beach to commemorate an Aboriginal woman's murder.

Margaret Benson places gum leaves and wattle, along with a small note, at Cooee Beach on August 21st to commemmorate the shooting death of a young Aboriginal woman on that day in 1829. Mrs Benson is part of a campaigning for a plaque memorial at Cooee Beach. Picture: Meg Windram.

Margaret Benson has received the backing of the Six Rivers Aboriginal Corporation but the Burnie City Council has so far rejected her request for a plaque at the beach.

"It's disappointing," Mrs Benson said.

"I thought it was a good opportunity as part of our reconciliation effort and, all over Australia there are many places where this has been taken up to acknowledge our shared history.

"Memorials like it are being placed.

"Maybe something will happen from within the community because I have had a lot of public support."

Mrs Benson has spoken to local experts in Aboriginal studies and the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre in Burnie about the story of the woman's death.

She first read about it in Beyond Awakening - Aboriginal Tribes of NW Tasmania: A history by Professor Ian McFarlane.

Recently, on the anniversary, she walked along Cooee beach thinking of what happened and left a wattle and gum leaf bouquet to mark the occasion.

Mrs Benson said that on August 21, 1829, a young Aboriginal woman was shot in the back on Cooee beach by a man named Russell.

Another man, named Sweetling, hit the woman on the neck with an axe.

Mrs Benson said the woman was in the company of another Aboriginal woman and a six-year-old girl when they were disturbed by a party led by Alexander Goldie, employed by Van Diemens Land Company.

One woman ran into the scrub and was captured and kept as a slave. The little girl ran onto the beach with her mother, who was shot and axed.

Mrs Benson said Mr Goldie is remembered with streets named after him but the woman is almost forgotten.

"A simple plaque at Cooee beach would be of interest and could pay respect," Mrs Benson said.

Burnie Mayor Alderman Steve Kons said the council attempted to make contact with the Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation and had no response.

"We also consulted with a local historian and the Burnie Historical Society," he said.

"With the advice council was able to receive, it was decided to not proceed with the placement of a plaque at this time.

"Council is however open to speak with the Aboriginal community if they wish to make contact."

Aboriginal elder and SRAC board member Paul Docking said SRAC supported Mrs Benson's campaign to acknowledge what happened at Cooee beach and aims to raise public funds for a plaque.